Academic and Professional Discourse in Translation

• Author: Ana-Maria Mangher (Chitac)
• Position: PhD in progress, Doctoral School of Philological Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi
• Pages: 331-335

ISSN: 2067 – 9211 Interdisciplinary Dimensions of Communication Science

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Academic and Professional Discourse in Translation

Ana-Maria Mangher (Chitac)1

Abstract: The translation of specialized texts, represents a challenging process, due to the terminological

complexity as well as the necessity to relate the translation to a certain textual typology. The study will be

divided into two main parts. Firstly, we will comment o n the most relevant peculiarities of specialized texts,

defining some basic concepts in order to identify a few useful aspects in their translation. On the second part,

we will concentrate on the interdisciplinary character of the translation of Medical Discourse as a branch of

Academic and Professional Discou rse, which implies to the same extent, a deep understanding of the field

terminology and the apprehension of the cultural and contextual background of the target reader. In addition to

investigating terminology and appropriately rendering the informative content, the translator has to attempt not

only to make the message intelligible but also to render the meaning for the target public.

Keywords: English for Specific Purposes; Academic and Professional English; terminology; specialized

translation; genre conventions

Introduction

English specialized discourse represents a significant part of worldwide communication and its

analysis is very significant for Translation Studies. But, before examining some of the most relevant

studies about the particularities of the specialized discourse, we will mention the multitude of

discoursive types which are covered by this term. Hutchinson and Waters (The Tree of ELT, 1987, pp.

17) identify the following branches: English for Science and Technology, English for Business and

Economics and English for Social Studies, English for Academic Purposes (eg. English for Medical

Studies) and English for Occupational Purposes. (eg. English for Technicians).

Characteristics of Specialized Texts

In order to translate a specialized discourse which is submitted to strict crafting regulations and norms,

we must understand which the linguistic particularities of this type of discourse are. Even if there is no

standard definition of the term ’specialized discourse’, we will introduce a synthesis of the most

relevant positions in the field. In Sager’s opi nion “specialised languages are semi-autonomous,

complex semiotic systems based on, and derived from general language, their use presupposes special

education and is restricted to communication among specialists in the same or, related fields” (Sager et

all., 1980, p. 230). While analysing the specialized discourse, Gotti adopts a pragmatic approach

which focuses on both extra - linguistic and linguistic parameters. He uses the term specialized

1 P hD in p rogress, Doctoral School of P hilological Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Address: 11 Carol I

Bvd., 700506, Iasi, Romania, Corresponding author: anamariamangher@yahoo.com.